Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan was abruptly benched Saturday during the team’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers.
Kiyan Anthony did not play a single minute of Syracuse’s 72-59 loss to the Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday. It was the first game all year in which Anthony did not appear.
After the game, coach Adrian Autry said Anthony’s benching was a coach’s decision made in response to Virginia’s experienced lineup.
“(Virginia) is a physical team, an experienced team,” Autry said. “It was just my decision. It was nothing else, no injuries or anything like that, there’s no narratives about any of this stuff.”
After @BurgessLuke03 asked Adrian Autry why Kiyan Anthony didn't play against Virginia, Autry repeated the fact that it was his decision four separate times in one short answer.
— Cooper Andrews (@cooper_andrews) February 7, 2026
Today was Kiyan's first time not logging a single minute in any game this season. pic.twitter.com/6QVqsHnWpj
Autry’s decision was the source of a lot of speculation since it came days after Carmelo Anthony made a disapproving Instagram post about the program after a loss to North Carolina.
Carmelo Anthony voicing his concerns on Syracuse basketball👀
— Cardiac Cuse (@cardiac_cuse) February 3, 2026
Can we just fire Red now? pic.twitter.com/nyTHVWsrbF
Anthony is a high-profile freshman, so it remains to be seen if this will continue. If it does, transfer rumors will inevitably start.
Kiyan committed to Syracuse with much fanfare in 2024. The freshman is averaging 8.9 points per game this season while playing just under 20 minutes per game.
